The US Navy says a sea blockade on Iran is now fully in place, stopping economic trade by sea while keeping freedom of navigation for vessels not entering Iranian ports. Shipping data indicates some Iran-linked vessels have halted or turned back after transiting the Strait of Hormuz, amid reports of location-system interference.
International
-Sathish Raman
The US Navy has begun a sea blockade on Iran, stepping up a war that has already disrupted energy flows at the Strait of Hormuz. Adm Brad Cooper said on Wednesday that the action started on Monday. Adm Brad Cooper said the blockade was now fully in place. Adm Brad Cooper added that sea trade to and from Iran was stopped.
The US Navy says a sea blockade on Iran is now fully in place, stopping economic trade by sea while keeping freedom of navigation for vessels not entering Iranian ports. Shipping data indicates some Iran-linked vessels have halted or turned back after transiting the Strait of Hormuz, amid reports of location-system interference.
US Central Command said the restrictions applied to all vessels, regardless of flag, near Iranian ports. Central Command said ships not visiting Iranian ports still had freedom of navigation. The force said no ship had passed US naval units in the first 48 hours. Central Command said nine vessels followed orders to turn back towards Iran.
US naval blockade Iran enforcement in Gulf of Oman
A US official told The Associated Press the Navy operated beyond the strait, in the Gulf of Oman. The aim was to watch ships leave Iranian facilities and clear the Strait of Hormuz. After that, US forces could intercept and direct them back. The official said the military used more than AIS beacons, but gave no details.
The US notice to mariners added confusion about what ship movements meant. The warning said enforcement was in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, not at Hormuz. This meant a transit through the strait did not prove a ship avoided the blockade. A grace window let ships depart Iranian ports until 1400 GMT on Monday.
US naval blockade Iran impact on shipping and AIS tracking
Shipping risks were also rising due to jamming and false location signals. Vessels could broadcast fake data on AIS, or switch it off. Data firms said some Iran-linked or sanctioned ships left the Gulf, then stopped. Others turned around after clearing Hormuz. This made the pattern of trade harder to verify in real time.
On Tuesday, only eight vessels passed through the strait, according to Ana Subasic of Kpler. Ana Subasic said most were linked to Iran or under sanctions. Ana Subasic said conditions stayed very risky despite a ceasefire. Ana Subasic added: “The operating environment is still considered extremely high risk despite the current ceasefire,\” she said.
Ana Subasic said ship slowdowns showed the blockade was starting to affect behaviour. Ana Subasic said many vessels that crossed had a record of Iranian-origin cargo. Ana Subasic cited one example involving a sanctioned tanker carrying methanol. Ana Subasic said the Rich Starry exited the Gulf, then halted, turned, and went back through Hormuz.
Windward, a maritime intelligence firm, also described mixed reactions. Windward said activity continued among sanctioned and false-flagged ships. Windward said some vessels still transited the strait, while others delayed travel. Windward said others reversed course after moving into open waters. The firm described this as a fragmented and uneven response.
US naval blockade Iran pressure on economy and oil exports
The blockade could increase strain on the Iranian economy, including the oil sector. Without exports, storage could fill and force wells to close. Restarting such wells can be difficult. The situation also affects fuel supply inside Iran. Iran imports petrol due to limited refining capacity. The White House has demanded that Iran reopen the strait.
Earlier, Iran constrained Hormuz by threatening attacks on shipping. That cut off about 20% of the world’s daily oil use. Oil prices rose sharply, with warnings of inflation and recession risks. Ships were struck by aerial and undersea drones and other projectiles. Those incidents killed 11 crew members. Even as attacks fell, traffic dropped by over 90%.
Some oil still moved through pipelines to the Red Sea and Gulf of Oman. However, those routes could not replace the volumes from Hormuz. Iran also began checking and charging the few ships that continued. Kpler said vessels had to provide cargo and crew details. Kpler said they also paid USD 1 per barrel of oil or fuel products.
Kpler said US and Israeli vessels were barred from passing. Kpler said some vessels from Iran, India and China made it through. The report said India intervened through diplomacy to help its ships leave. Central Command said humanitarian cargo could pass if inspected. This included food and medical items needed for civilian survival.
A legal guide from the US Naval War College allowed blockades under naval warfare rules. It also barred blockades aimed only at starving civilians. Maritime historian Sal Mercogliano, who runs a YouTube shipping channel, cited that guide. Neutral vessels could pass, but may face inspection. Lloyds List Intelligence said shipowners faced new uncertainty over enforcement.
Iran issued a warning on Wednesday about widening disruption. The commander of Iran’s joint military command said Iran would block trade across several seas. Ali Abdollahi said this would happen if the US did not end the blockade. Ali Abdollahi said: \”Iran will act with strength to defend its national sovereignty and its interests,\” said Ali Abdollahi. Ali Abdollahi added that the blockade signalled a move against the ceasefire.
With inputs from PTI
